Art exhibit features fine art seniors’ expressive works

Michaela VanSant, a fine art senior at California Baptist University, is one of three students whose artwork is featured at the Senior Fine Art Exhibit.  

Riverside, Calif. (April. 17, 2019) – California Baptist University hosted an opening reception for the Senior Fine Art Exhibit at the Rose Garden Gallery on April 16. The exhibit runs until April 23 and is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and by appointment on weekends.

The display features work by fine art seniors James Gooch, Miracleous Owens and Michaela VanSant. The show features a variety of art pieces ranging from sculpture, oil canvas paintings and comic illustrations. Fine art seniors at CBU are required to display their work in an exhibit before graduating.

Duncan Simcoe, professor of fine art, said the exhibit features art created by the students’ own inspiration and not by a class assignment.

“Fine art means we are teaching students how to make a variety of objects whether they are sculptural, two dimensional or other kinds of mediums. And to be exhibiting artists, that is the end game,” Simcoe said.  

VanSant said she created her color paintings around the theme of Immanence.

“God is immanent throughout nature, this world and our lives,” VanSant said. “While creating this work, I used colors and abstract imagery to convey my personal experiences in the mountains of Colorado, where I grew up. My work is inspired by, and references, specific places in the mountains that are the dearest to my heart.”   

“It is an exciting feeling and nerve-wracking to see my paintings be displayed. I feel very vulnerable because it is something that I spent a lot of time on and it is coming from my heart,” VanSant said.